From the Desk of J. R. Brandt DC, MPS, FACO
President
Academy of Chiropractic

Dear Fellow,

It was a busy month of April for the Academy. Several things have happened that I think will strengthen the Academy and the specialty of chiropractic orthopedics. The Academy has held its annual Board meeting.

Here are some of the items that were discussed:

NO dues increase for 2011-2012

Commitment to expand the Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (JACO)

Commitment to expand the Editorial Review Board (ERB) of the JACO

Upgrade the Website

Announcements throughout the year on new projects, benefits and improvements for the membership

Commitment to expand the Diplomate examination:

Currently there is a pool of 8 item writers working on the item writing for the Diplomate examination and the voluntary recertification protocols

Expand the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) portion of the examination with new cases

Expand the pool of simulated patients

Continue and expand examination development

The last week-end in April was the Academy’s Congress of Diplomates. This is a venue where Diplomates and guests exchange case studies, research, new ideas for the care and treatment of patients in an informal setting. There were stellar presenters this year. Dr. Dave Swensen of Melrose, Massachusetts presented a paper that was his Masters degree thesis. It was an incredible study of chiropractic care and the heart. Dr. Stan Backso of Toronto, Ontario presented a very interesting paper on WAD and the Canadian whiplash study. The last presenter was Mr. Jonathan Bender, an NBA basketball star, who has been working on developing a muscle and joint rehabilitation system for injury repair of the injured athlete or worker.

The Academy recognized several doctors that have demonstrated exceptional work and effort to improve the mission of the Academy or of the orthopedic specialty. These awards include:

OUTSTANDING SERVICE:

Dr. Michelle Wessely for her contributions to the JACO

Dr. Tim Mick for his contribution to the JACO, time and talent lecturing at the ACCO conferences

Dr. Chris Hammer for his untiring work on the website

Dr. Larry Widmer for his time and effort on the membership committee

Dr. Dale Huntington for his work with the ACA on behalf of orthopedics

Dr. Harold Tondera for his wise counsel on orthopedic matters

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT:

Dr. Loren Miller for his exceptional work and effort to manage and coordinate the recertification program

DISTINGUISHED FELLOW AWARD:

Dr. Kim Skibsed for his untiring work with the membership committee. Dr. Skibsted has overseen nearly a 10% growth in Academy membership in 2010.

This is a call for papers for the Congress of Diplomates to be held in conjunction with the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACCO) annual symposium in April, 2012. The conference will be held the last week-end in April in San Diego, CA. Papers must be received no later than February 15, 2012. The papers can be case studies, research or information that will be of interest to an academic, evidence based group. The papers will be published in the Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists.

JACO is a peer reviewed, open access and indexed journal. It is sent to all chiropractic and osteopathic colleges. The Editor-in-Chief and the Editor of the journal are now working to send JACO to medical college libraries. This is an excellent opportunity for the specialty or related groups to publish cases and articles about chiropractic orthopedics and chiropractic care in general.

It’s not too late for you to refer a colleague for the orthopedic Diplomate examination at Palmer College on October 1, 2011. This will be held at the Palmer Campus in Davenport, IA. The Texas Council of Chiropractic Orthopedists have scheduled a review class at Palmer August 26-28. You can contact PCC or view the Academy website at www.dcorthoacademy.com. Details are on the website. Nearly every examination the Academy has given, we have had doctors that completed the 300 hours but never took an examination. In addition, we have those doctors who have been disenfranchised by prior examination procedures. The word has spread about the fairness and balanced Diplomate examination the Academy provides.

It is truly sad news about the passing of Dr. Steve Capps. He died on May 6, 2011. His internment was at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Houston, Texas. Dr. Capps was the Immediate Past President of the Academy. The Academy has set up a scholarship fund in Steve’s memory. The scholarship will be for a doctor at his alma mater, Texas College of Chiropractic in Houston, Texas. Please send gifts to :